The #educoach hashtag is used by instructional coaches around the world. We chat each Wednesday at 8pm CST on Twitter and use the hashtag throughout the week to share resources, ask questions and collaborate with instructional coaches.
Heather, special ed teacher and my school's PBIS coach checking in. Not sure if a snow day is a win or not- I think a win now but it won't feel like one on makeup day! #educoach
Q1 First of all, did anyone try out the kickstart questions we discussed last week - “What’s on your mind?” Share your experiences (or thoughts on the benefits of this question). #educoach
Hi, #educoach! Lauren, K-5 Instructional Coach, Indiana. My #eduwin is moving forward with new coaching goals in the 2nd semester. Lots of great learner-centered work ahead!
A1: I used it today. It was very useful as my coachee has a lot in her plate. We talked through a few things before jumping into deeper coaching. Her mind would have been else where if we hadn’t. #educoach
Q1 First of all, did anyone try out the kickstart questions we discussed last week - “What’s on your mind?” Share your experiences (or thoughts on the benefits of this question). #educoach
👋🏼Serve as an Instructional Coach in CA. My #EduWin is that I learned how to pull data, disaggregate, & analyze it to aid in the re-classification of EL Ss. Able to count on the DO to help me with the process. Don't be afraid to ask for assistance. #EduCoach#YouOnlyLiveTwice
Q2 Think of the most recent question you’ve asked someone. Did it start off slowly (with framing and/or explaining) or did you get straight to the point? #educoach
A1: Yes asked several Ts the question "What's on your mind?" & allowed me to focus on what's really on their mind vs mine. Was more intentional about Coaching w/ curiosity and understanding that the power of questioning is key. 🔑#EduCoach
A1: I did not try out the kickstart question, as I have mostly been lurking. But I do plan to use it to dig deeper into what specific classroom behaviors are troubling my peers. #educoach
A1: I have always used something similar to it when starting conversations. I usually start with “What would you like to focus on today?” I did use it last week. :) It was helpful. #educoach
A1: Yes asked several Ts the question "What's on your mind?" & allowed me to focus on what's really on their mind vs mine. Was more intentional about Coaching w/ curiosity and understanding that the power of questioning is key. 🔑#EduCoach
A2: I'm still a work in progress but realizing that asking "What's on your mind?" and following it with the AWE question "And what else?" does quickly get to the heart of the matter and then initiates the cycle of learning, growing, reflecting, etc. #EduCoach
Q2 Think of the most recent question you’ve asked someone. Did it start off slowly (with framing and/or explaining) or did you get straight to the point? #educoach
A2: We were able to jump into our work without much framing for the conversation I’m thinking of today, yet I think it can depend on context or where one is in the process. Frame as needed. #educoach
A3: I think of framing similar to scaffolds for learning. Depending on context, you may need some framing, yet remains focused and forward moving. #educoach
A3: This feels almost like a loaded question because I am really on the fence! But I think my gut is saying framing it or explaining it means I am trying to steer the conversation the way I want, rather than let my peer's need direct our work. #educoach
Q4 We learned last week that @boxofcrayons kickstart question is “What’s on your mind?” The next question is the A.W.E. questions: “and what else.” Describe the magical powers of the AWE question from you perspective. #educoach
Q4 We learned last week that @boxofcrayons kickstart question is “What’s on your mind?” The next question is the A.W.E. questions: “and what else.” Describe the magical powers of the AWE question from you perspective. #educoach
A2. My questions are embedded in a process that I just kind of move through (a) confirm direction, (b) discuss progress, (c) invent improvements, and (d) plan next actions #educoach
A4: I love the “AWE” because it drives further reflection to seeking the real challenge. Often what we first share isn’t really the root of where we need to start our thinking. #educoach
Good point. Coaches can learn a lot about their questioning techniques if they record the convo. I'm starting to use @SibmeApp in my virtual coaching with coaches. #educoach
A3: As a former History Tt I still believe that context is impt & sometimes as ICs we need to provide the context & explain where we're coming from which hopefully is always from a point of compassion & support & to better understand where they've been & want to go. #EduCoach
Q4 We learned last week that @boxofcrayons kickstart question is “What’s on your mind?” The next question is the A.W.E. questions: “and what else.” Describe the magical powers of the AWE question from you perspective. #educoach
Q5 Describe a time when you have had multiple choices? How did it affect your final decision. Would the outcome have been the same if you had limited choices? #educoach
A4: AWE helps us move through some of the immediate, though possibly more fleeting of concerns, and get to the roots of the deeper impacts to instruction #educoach
A5 I recently remodeled my kitchen. At the time I felt I had too many choices on the hardware, making it hard to decide. Now I realize I needed to see all in order to make my best choice. #educoach
Q6 Have you had experience using the question “and what else” in your coaching work? Share your experiences. If not, how might you use in later conversations? #educoach
Q5 I feel like coaching (just like instruction) is a virtual map of decision making based on observations, data, the feel of the situation... decisions are how we navigate it. Hopefully they’re partnered decisions. #educoach
A4: The power in the AWE questions "And what else?" invites reflection, keeps the door open to reconsider a decision, allows Ts to hear themselves think more deeply, & is committed to possible various outcomes even beyond one's imagination. #PowerOfPotential#EduCoach
A5: Too many choices can be distracting while too few can limit. I need to find the sweet spot where I feel confident I've weighed the best options of "what else." Buying a house is a good example. #educoach
A5: sometimes with technology platforms I get a little bogged down on the features of one vs another, trying to find the perfect fit -like the 100+ video editing apps out there - and honestly I could probably blindly pick fron the top 5 and it would work just fine! #educoach
A5 I've used the questions in a professional learning opportunity. @boxofcrayons had us partner with someone and work through all the questions. Powerful even with someone you only met seconds before. #educoach Groups of coaches could practice together.
A5: I know as a District offering more Tt voice & choice w/respect to PDs has been empowering. Proud to serve PUSD in which our Ts, ICs, Math Coaches, Media Specialists, DO staff, etc. facilitate quarterly Summits with Tt choice & # of interesting sessions 💙 #EduCoach
I was thinking about all of the options when we built our house too. It can become somewhat overwhelming, yet I did appreciate having options in which to choose from during the process. #educoach
A6: It was interesting because at first, there was a pause and wait time after asking. It really made my colleague reflect and think more deeply. Thinking time is so important! #educoach
A7: Of course. It happens to the best of us. Through my own reflection, I had guilt in not providing that ownership and empowerment in the thinking process rather than changing my line of questioning and giving that thinking time. #educoach
A7: absolutely - sometimes I leave a conversation and realize the teacher barely had a chance to talk through their own take on the concern before I started sharing docs or resources and I'm like... #educoach
A6:Looking forward to asking more of the questions "And what else?" and "And what else might be possible?" Want to guide Ts to uncover all of their potentials and in turn to imagine and bring to fruition all of the potentials that could and can exist in the Ss we serve. #EduCoach
A5 I have found that having principles that guide decision making is really helpful. Eg, What's best for kids. This is described really well in Heath and Heath's book Decisive #educoach
A8 Videoing or recording our coaching sessions could be beneficial. It would allow us to look for patterns in our questioning, advice giving, etc... #educoach
Yes. A couple times I was advising someone on HOW to implement some piece of our PBIS program when they really needed to talk about WHY. I overlooked their own beliefs and feelings going in and assumed they were fully on board with the program. #educoach
A7: Yes. A couple times I was advising someone on HOW to implement some piece of our PBIS program when they really needed to talk about WHY. I overlooked their own beliefs and feelings going in and assumed they were fully on board with the program. #educoach
Q9 We challenge you to find time this week to have a conversations that starts with “What’s on your mind?” followed by “and what else.” How might that change a conversation? #educoach
A9 I plan to use these questions in some upcoming coaching conversations. I think it will change things by allowing coachee to get to their goals. I think I do this already, but plan to see how these questions change things. #educoach
A9: These line of questions will begin to naturally narrow focus for the person you are sharing the conversation with and spur deeper levels of reflection. #educoach
I think that's a question from my marriage :). Whatever question I ask, I just don't want the collaborating teacher to feel I'm suggesting she do it. It's just mutual exploration #educoach
Q9: after much deliberation, I started a tricky conversation with “Tell me what’s going on with your fifth grade class”... I think “what on your mind would” have been more respectful/less threatening. #educoach
A9: Indeed powerful tips from the #CoachingHabit for asking "What's on your mind?" & following it up w/the AWE question "And what else?"
🗳Stay Curious, Stay Genuine
🗳Ask It One More Time
🗳Recognize Success
🗳Move On When It's Time
#EduCoach
A9: I will try it tomorrow at our data meetings. There are bound to be lots of "elses" and I don't want to miss any! Thanks for the conversation, eduleaders! #educoach
A9: I find myself thinking about the connotation and denotation of “enabling”. I think the kickstarter and awe questions allow us to enable teachers ina good way! Thanks for the challenge. I am looking forward to reporting back! #educoach
This isn't an answer to any question, but I've been playfully experimenting with trying to coaching myself with @boxofcrayons questions. It's kind of funny to ask myself, "what's on your mind." #educoach
